Sunroofs - What's Your Experience?

[jimbo]

Thinking of getting a sunroof in the VX.

I was originally considering just a small popup to let in some light and air, but after doing some searches I found that didn't seem to be a popular choice here. Most folks seem to be going with the electric models (ala Webasto). I also couldn't get much of an idea as to types/manufacturers available. It didn't seem like there were really that many choices of models (I thought there would be hundreds).

The maufacturer websites for Webasto/Inalfa kind-of suck in so far as showing closeup photos of the various products themselves. I couldn't even find a simple, inexpensive popup type detailed on either site.

Personally, I'm not big on automatic anything on cars/trucks (even windows - I wish we could all go back to simple manual cranks like my trusty Amigo) IMHO it's just something else that could/will break at some point, costing more money and creating extra headaches - and what's the big deal about opening something by hand ... but I'm very interested in other member's experiences with sunroofs/moonroofs of any type in the VX.

(the forum/gallery search didn't give me that much info)

Also, can anyone recommend a great trustworthy place to have it done in the Bucks/Mercer county or Philadelphia area of Pa/NJ?

Thanks!

[Gussie2000]

Thinking of getting a sunroof in the VX.

I was originally considering just a small popup to let in some light and air, but after doing some searches I found that didn't seem to be a popular choice here. Most folks seem to be going with the electric models (ala Webasto). I also couldn't get much of an idea as to types/manufacturers available. It didn't seem like there were really that many choices of models (I thought there would be hundreds).

The maufacturer websites for Webasto/Inalfa kind-of suck in so far as showing closeup photos of the various products themselves. I couldn't even find a simple, inexpensive popup type detailed on either site.

Personally, I'm not big on automatic anything on cars/trucks (even windows - I wish we could all go back to simple manual cranks like my trusty Amigo) IMHO it's just something else that could/will break at some point, costing more money and creating extra headaches - and what's the big deal about opening something by hand ... but I'm very interested in other member's experiences with sunroofs/moonroofs of any type in the VX.

(the forum/gallery search didn't give me that much info)

Also, can anyone recommend a great trustworthy place to have it done in the Bucks/Mercer county or Philadelphia area of Pa/NJ?

Thanks!

I agree with you about automatic sunroof, my sister's 2007 maxima came with that option.

Two years ago heavy rain begins to fall in FL & she had her Sunroof opened & when she went to close the damn thing guess what ........

Sunroof didn't wanna close at all,she had to race under a passage to avoid the water coming into the cabin & mess all the leather upholstery interior.
If she had the choice to have the manual one she wouldn't had that bad experience

You can't trust technology 100% at least i don't

The sunroof manufaturers decide to discontinue the manual sunroof to make more profit,after all,you still have to raise to arm & press the button to open the automatic one;To me it doesn't make any sense neither

[circmand]

I want one but am not sure where roof braces are and what size/ where the sunroof could be put in. Did the search couldn't find the particulars.

[vt_maverick]

Get with JohnnyApollo if you haven't already. You can check out his website here.

[crotchrocket]

I'm not a sunroof fan to be honest, my 300zx has glass targas and i keep the sun blinds on constantly when the roof is on, i like to be dark inside the cockpit, especially with tinted windows etc.

[Riff Raff]

My VX has the Webasto electric "Moonroof" with a dark limo tint and was professionally installed by the PO. I absolutely love it. It looks OEM factory and doesn't leak a single drop even in heavy Washington State down-pours. The replacement headliner looks OEM factory and has never sagged. It has illuminated control buttons; built-in sun-shade slider; built-in wind deflector that raises up upon opening, and the roof will automatically close when the iginition is turned off. I trust it more than I do the cheesy VX electric side-door windows.

Get one, it's awesome. I'm tall, so I already sit really high in the VX with very little headroom and the open roof gives me a feeling of more spaciousness. My only advice is to have it professionally installed by a Automotive Sunroof Shop that sells/installs that specific brand product and ask to see examples of their previous work or customer testimony before purchase.

Lastly, stay away from those cheap pop-top sunroofs that always leak-- if you're gonna cut a hole in your roof, then do it right with an electric moonroof or don't do it at all.

[vt_maverick]

I just worry about something hitting the glass if it's outside the body when open. Is that what you meant Gus?

[johnnyapollo]

Over 100k miles and 7 years with mine without any issues whatsoever. Hollandia/Webasto Sun Roof w/Wind Deflector Model 43

-- John

[Riff Raff]

Over 100k miles and 7 years with mine without any issues whatsoever. Hollandia/Webasto Sun Roof w/Wind Deflector Model 43

[VX crazy]

I had the hollandia spoiler style since 2002 in my other vx and up til last oct never gave me any problems. Had to clean the tracks real well after the first trip out to moab with sunroof open and sand getting in the track. I had lifetime warranty from my installer, auto close and auto open and paid about $1200. I still have this sunroof actually, but figure most ot the cost is the labor so IF I put another one in my current VX it would be a new sunroof. I agree with going spoiler style so you save the headroom! Not an issue for me since I am short waisted......LOL

[Riff Raff]

I had the hollandia spoiler style since 2002 in my other vx and up til last oct never gave me any problems. Had to clean the tracks real well after the first trip out to moab with sunroof open and sand getting in the track. I had lifetime warranty from my installer, auto close and auto open and paid about $1200. I agree with going spoiler style so you save the headroom!

VX-CRAZY--- Thank you so much for your input. To my knowledge, you're the only VX owner out there who went the "exposed/spoiler" type route. The "exposed/spoiler" version would only save headroom in the rear-seat passenger area, since it doesn't require an interior sleeve liner over the rear-seat headliner. Both type units have equal headroom over the driver cockpit area. Was your roof panel a "See-Thru Moonroof" or was it a "Solid Fiberglass Panel"??? If a "See-Thru Moonroof", did it also have a pull-out Sunshade panel slider to totally block-out the Sun???

[Gussie2000]

I had the hollandia spoiler style since 2002 in my other vx and up til last oct never gave me any problems. Had to clean the tracks real well after the first trip out to moab with sunroof open and sand getting in the track. I had lifetime warranty from my installer, auto close and auto open and paid about $1200. I still have this sunroof actually, but figure most ot the cost is the labor so IF I put another one in my current VX it would be a new sunroof. I agree with going spoiler style so you save the headroom! Not an issue for me since I am short waisted......LOL

Hi lisa !
Didn't had an idea you went with the spoiler sunroof on your VX.
Do you have an pic with the VX & the spoiler sunroof ?

Personally i think this shop rocks in customer service & definetly will go with them.

[VX crazy]

Yes, it was the glass sunroof, and did have a slide shade, just like an other stock sunroof in any other vehicle I have been in, not a moonroof, but a sunroof.

Hope the photos help.

2 of the photos were after she died, and sunroof is unharmed, other than the shade handle flew off somewhere